NDP incumbent Alistair Macgregor will serve another term as the member of parliament for the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding.
“This campaign would not have come home without your efforts,” MacGregor said, thanking his supporters gathered at the Duncan Community Lodge, after a performance by the Tzinquaw Dancers. “I also want to acknowledge the candidates for the other parties, saying now it’s time to come together.
“We all know this country’s got some big challenges that require a lot of people coming together, especially in a minority parliament.”
MacGregor’s opponents noted it was a tough campaign.
“It was an uphill battle,” said Green Party Lydia Hwitsum, but she’s staying positive. “We did better than last time and we’ll do better again next time.”
Liberal candidate Blair Herbert added, “I’m disappointed in the results here in Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, although not surprised … The NDP is very locked in here, for a number of years and I’m happy with the way it went nationally, so I guess all around, I’m happy,” he said, referring to the Liberal’s win of a minority government.
The NDP has had a lock on the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding in the past with former NDP Jean Crowder winning her seat in 2004.
Before the results came in, Conservative candidate Alana DeLong said she knocked on 9,000 doors during this campaign.
Volunteer Elisabeth Gelb says she door knocked all day today in the Cowichan-Malahat-Langford district. “It was under the wire.” 🗳#cdnpoli @GoldstreamNews @LakeCowGazette @CowichanCitizen #yyj pic.twitter.com/JZICOS0dFe
— Aaron Guillen (@iaaronguillen) October 22, 2019
“At the end of the day, I’m less concerned about winning this district, but more so about the country as a whole. We can’t have another four years of Liberals,” she said.
After hearing the results, DeLong addressed her supporters.
“So many people have put their lives into this. I’m sorry we didn’t make it, but we found thousands that believe what we do. It’s been fantastic,” she said.
“There was so much I wanted to do. That’s the most disappointing. It’s going to be a difficult four years. We need to build on what we’ve found,” DeLong said.
Campaign manager Ian Caesar for @alanadelong says door knocking played a big part of their campaign. He says 30% of the time, they were met with fellow @CPC_HQ supporters. #cdnpoli #yyj @GoldstreamNews @LakeCowGazette @CowichanCitizen pic.twitter.com/RtmY5HHqoC
— Aaron Guillen (@iaaronguillen) October 22, 2019
Two other candidates, Robin Morton Stanbridge representing the Christian Heritage Party and Rhonda Chen of the People’s Party of Canada, also ran.
Find more election results online at goldstreamgazette.com.